Tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering

ABSTRACT

A tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering comprising a surface sheet having a plurality of sectioned pockets positioned at the corners of the tarpaulin apparatus. Each of the pockets are sized and adapted to accommodate weights that weigh down the tarpaulin and maintain its position when utilized to cover an object or pile. Each of the pockets have an interior and an opening that is secured by a set of hook and loop fasteners to help keep the weights within the sectioned pocket when the tarpaulin is in use. Also positioned at the edges of the surface sheet are a plurality of grommets through which the tarpaulin apparatus may be further secured with rope, twine, wire or other conventional form of line.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for covering objects and areas. More specifically, the invention involves a tarpaulin apparatus having sectioned pockets positioned at edges thereof. Even more particularly, the invention involves a tarpaulin apparatus that accommodates weighted objects to help maintain the tarpaulin apparatus in a covering position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several conventional uses for tarps which are generally used to cover and protect an object or area. For example, tarps are used to cover and protect outdoor furniture during the winter to protect the furniture from harsh elements. Tarps are also used on construction projects and to cover and protect indoor furnishings and flooring during remodeling or painting of an interior of a home. In addition to covering and protecting, tarps are also utilized at campsites to create privacy areas and/or for constructing temporary outdoor shelters. By the same token, a tarp may be utilized to protect young plants in a garden from cold snaps. Tarps may also come in handy to temporarily cover a leaky roof.

In each of the foregoing instances, there is a need for the tarp to be weighted down and secured from being blown away by a strong wind or other force. Often, users of tarps employ rocks or sacks of sand, placing them at the edges of the tarp to keep the tarp in a secured location. In many instances, these efforts fail resulting in the tarp being blown away or unintentionally moved by the wind or other force.

In an effort to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies of plain, generic tarps, some have created improvements to increase their utility. However, these improvements fall short as a solution in that they are exceedingly heavy and difficult to transport due to their weights which are integrated into the device. For example, US Published Application 2015/0147519, entitled Weighted Tarp, discloses a weighted tarp for providing a waterproof covering that can remain in position without the need for cables, bungee cords, external weights, or other fasteners. The tarp includes a multi-layer sheet having a first and second layer of waterproof or water-resistant material that are bound by adhesive. Weights are disposed between the first and second sheets throughout the area of the tarp. The weights are preferably flat disks and are arranged in a grid, such that the weights are spaced at fixed intervals. The weights help to maintain the tarp in a desired position without the need for additional fasteners, and the weights serve to evenly distribute the weight of the tarp. The tarp also includes grommets on the perimeter or corners thereof, allowing the user to further secure the tarp using cables, if so desired. Similarly, US Published Application 2007/0251618, entitled Slumpy/Smart Tarp, discloses a self-weighted weather proof cover which is used for covering items that can be harmed or damaged by and type of weather and protects items from blowing away due to any type of high wind or vehicle movement and holds items in place if needed also. The weight is attached directly to the material used whether sown or heat welded, and can be placed in any area needed to provide proper coverage to any item or items being covered or protected. In both of these prior references, weights are intentionally integrated into the tarp making it very heavy at all times, which makes it difficult and/or more costly to transport, carry and store.

Another weighted tarp device is disclosed in US Published Application 2004/194393, entitled Water Weighted Tarp. This published application discloses a tarpaulin cover with a water-weighted tube around its perimeter. A three-inch diameter tube is located around the perimeter just inside of a series of grommets. A fill nozzle that accepts a standard garden hose connection is provided on the perimeter. At the opposite side of the tarpaulin, a release nozzle is provided to aid in the rapid emptying of the invention. When filled with water, the tarp is difficult to blow away in high winds. This form of tarp is intended to eliminate the usage of rocks, logs and other materials that are commonly used to hold tarpaulins down. Notwithstanding the alternate means it discloses to weight down a tarp, the device suffers from a serious deficiency in that if the tube is punctured, the device can no longer function as intended. By the same token, such a device requires a user to drag a water hose to the tarp in order to fil

In general, the prior art devices that are available have several known drawbacks. For example, the tarpaulins are weighted and can be positioned over a pile or other objects. However, many weighted tarpaulins are heavy, and difficult to transport, carry and store—even when the tarpaulins is not in use and not needed to cover anything. Accordingly, despite the respective benefits of the foregoing prior art tarpaulin devices, there remains a need for a tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering that is not heavy when not in use and easy to utilize by all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the limitations and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering that is selectively light in weight when the apparatus is not in use, and selectively heavier in weight when the apparatus is in use to maintain the tarpaulin apparatus in an intended position to cover an area and/or object(s).

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering that is adapted to selectively receive a plurality of weights in sectioned pockets located at the edges thereof to maintain the tarpaulin apparatus in an intended position to cover an area and/or object(s).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering from which a plurality of weights may be removed from sectioned pockets located the edges thereof when the tarpaulin is no longer needed to cover an area and/or object(s).

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering that is waterproof and/or water resistant.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering that is fabricated from conventional materials utilizing conventional means which permit relative economy and proportionate durability.

Additional objectives, features and advantages will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In summary, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention an improved tarpaulin apparatus and method for covering comprising a surface sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface. Positioned at the corners of the top surface of the tarpaulin apparatus are a plurality of sectioned pockets. Each of the pockets are sized and adapted to accommodate weights that weigh down the tarpaulin and maintain its position when utilized to cover an object or pile. Each of the pockets have an interior and an opening that is secured by a set of hook and loop fasteners to help keep the weights within the sectioned pocket when the tarpaulin is in use. Also positioned at the edges of the surface sheet are a plurality of grommets through which the tarpaulin apparatus may be further secured with rope, twine, wire or other conventional form of line.

Additional features and embodiments of the tarpaulin apparatus are described below in more detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings of which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tarpaulin apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a corner of the of the tarpaulin apparatus and a sectioned pocket thereof filled with a weighted object;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior of an empty sectioned pocket;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tarpaulin apparatus and an empty sectioned pocket; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a corner of the of the tarpaulin apparatus and a sectioned pocket thereof within which there is a disposed a filled bottle of liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the improved tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprising a surface sheet 12 having a top surface 14 and bottom surface 16. The surface sheet 12 comprises a rectangular configuration of about 8′×10′. However, it should be understood and appreciated that other geometric shapes (e.g., square) and sizes (e.g., 10′×20′, 15′×15′, 16′×20′, 20′×20′, 20′×30′, 20′×40′) may be constructed as well, with the further understanding that sizes and dimensions generally fluctuate by up to five percent.

The surface sheet 12 of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 may be constructed from different materials, where the materials that are utilized factor into the use of the tarpaulin apparatus 10. In a preferred embodiment, the surface sheet 12 is constructed of a polyethylene material that is also preferably poly coated to help render the apparatus waterproof or water resistant, mildew resistant, rot resistant and/or freeze resistant and to increase its strength. However, it should be understood and appreciated that other materials may be utilized instead of polyethylene, including other forms of plastics (e.g., vinyl, polyurethane) and/or canvas.

In a preferred embodiment, the tarp is approximately 4 to 6 mil thick. However, other degrees of thickness ranging from 4 mil to a heavy duty thickness of approximately 16 mil may be utilized as well. In a preferred embodiment, the edges or hems of the sheet 12 are reinforced with poly twin and/or heat sealed. In a sturdier or more heavy duty configuration, the edges may be folded and double stitched with cord and further reinforced.

The tarpaulin apparatus 10 also incorporates grommets 18 that are constructed of aluminum or other forms of metal that are preferably rustproof and/or corrosion resistant. In a preferred embodiment, the grommets 18 are reinforced by additional material in the immediate area surrounding the grommets 18 to prevent them from tearing away from the sheet 12. In a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in the drawings, each edge of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprises at least one grommet 18. However, it should be appreciated and understood that additional grommets 18 may be provided along the edges of the tarpaulin apparatus 10. In an alternate preferred embodiment, grommets 18 may be installed approximately every 18 to 36 inches along each side of the sheet 12 (including at the corners thereof). It should also be appreciated and understood that grommets may be positioned at the corners in conjunction with pockets.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the corners of the sheet 12 of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 comprises a sectioned off pocket 20. Each of the pockets 20 are sized and adapted to accommodate weights that weigh down the tarpaulin and maintain its position when utilized to cover an object or pile. Each of the pockets 20 have an interior and an opening that is secured by a set of hook and loop fasteners 22 (e.g., Velcro) to help keep the weights within the sectioned pocket 20 when the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in use. As an alternative to hook and loop fasteners 22, the device may also be constructed utilizing zippers, snaps or other conventional securing means. In a preferred embodiment, each of the pockets 20 is constructed by appending an additional pocket section or layer 24 of material using stitching 26 to combine the pocket layer 24 to the sheet 12.

Preferably, the pockets are adapted to accommodate and strength to hold and carry heavy standalone weights ranging from 1 to 30 lbs, and most preferably from 15 to 20 lbs. The weights that are utilized are preferably sized to fit within the pocket with the hook and loop fastener 22 fastened, but not necessarily so. Bags of sand or other dense material may be placed inside pockets 20 to keep the tarpaulin apparatus in place. In an alternate embodiment, weight bags may be modified to incorporate a hook and loop fastener or zipper that attaches and fastens to the sheet of the tarpaulin apparatus. One such modification is illustrated in U.S. Patent D806488 by the same inventor, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

Notably, each corner pocket 20 is placed and configured so that the opening of a given pocket 20 is lined up with and directly faces the opening of another pocket 20 when said tarp 10 is laid flat and not in use. Thus when four pockets 20 utilized, as shown in FIG. 1, there are two pairs of pockets whose openings are lined up with one another. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the bottom left pocket 20 directly faces the opening of the top left pocket 20; and the opening of the bottom right pocket 20 directly faces the opening of the top right pocket 20. This configuration enables each of the pockets 20 to hold the weights inside when the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in use and draped over an object, even when the hook and loop fasteners 22 are not fastened. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when large “homemade” weights comprising a bottle B filled with liquid are used which do not rest fully within the pocket 20, each bottle B placed in the corner pockets 20 will remain inside when the tarp 10 is draped over a barbeque grill. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle that can be accommodated has a size of up to two liters.

In an alternate embodiment of a square or rectangularly shaped tarpaulin apparatus with four corner pockets, the opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of the sheet. When this configuration is utilized, the opening of a first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the opening of a second pocket where the second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the sheet. Alternatively, the opening of each pocket may be rotated towards the center of the sheet without directly aligning its opening with that of another pocket.

Although four pockets 20 are shown in each of the corners and on the top surface 14 of the rectangular sheet 12, it should be appreciated and understood that additional pockets may be placed along the edges of the sheet and/or on the bottom surface 16 of the sheet 12. It should also be appreciated and understood that the corner pockets 20 may be moved so that they are placed along the edges of the sheet 12 instead of at the corners.

When utilizing a preferred embodiment of the tarpaulin apparatus 10 a user covers an object or area which the user intends to cover, protect or conceal. Once the tarpaulin apparatus 10 is in place as desired, the user fills each of the pockets 20 with weights. Once weights are placed in each of the pockets 20, the user fastens the weights inside pocket with the hook and loop fastener 22. If the weather is particularly harsh, a user may place weights inside pockets 20 prior to positioning the tarp 10.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several preferred embodiments of a tarpaulin apparatus and method for utilizing said tarpaulin apparatus. However, other types and configurations are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard.

Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated and understood that the features illustrated in the drawings may be somewhat exaggerated and not drawn to scale. However, such drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention which can exemplify several further embodiments while still keeping within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the present embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the terms “first,” and “second,” and similar terms may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 

1. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having four corners, a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of edges between said four corners; a first pocket, a second pocket, a third pocket and a fourth pocket, each of said first pocket, second pocket, third pocket and fourth pocket being located on said top surface, at one of said four corners, and having an interior and an opening and sized to accommodate a weight; a plurality of grommets located at said plurality of edges located between said four corners; wherein each of said first pocket, second pocket, third pocket and fourth pocket are placed in a configuration such that said opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.
 2. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said opening of said first pocket is lined up with and directly faces only one of said openings of said second pocket, said third pocket and said fourth pocket.
 3. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of said surface sheet.
 4. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 3, wherein said opening of said first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the opening of said second pocket, and wherein said second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the sheet.
 5. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket having an interior that is sized to accommodate said weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.
 6. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket having an interior that is sized to accommodate a two-liter bottle.
 7. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket further comprising a hook and loop fastener to secure the opening of said pocket.
 8. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said pocket further comprising a snap fastener to secure the opening of said pocket.
 9. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said surface sheet having a rectangular configuration.
 10. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 1, said surface sheet having a square configuration.
 11. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having four corners, a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of pockets, wherein one pocket is located at each of said four corners, each of said pockets having an interior and a secured opening and sized to accommodate a weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.; a plurality of metallic and corrosion resistant grommets; wherein each of said pockets are placed in a configuration such that said secured opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said secured opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.
 12. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of grommets is located at one of said four corners of said surface sheet.
 13. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein said secured opening is secured with a hook and loop fastener.
 14. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, said secured opening of one of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces only one of said secured openings of said other pockets.
 15. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 11, wherein said secured opening of each pocket is rotated towards the center of said surface sheet.
 16. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 15, wherein said plurality of pockets comprise a first pocket and a second pocket, and said secured opening of said first pocket is directly aligned with and faces the secured opening of said second pocket, and wherein said second pocket lies diagonally across from the first pocket on the surface sheet.
 17. A tarpaulin apparatus comprising: a surface sheet having a top surface; a plurality of pockets located on said top surface, each of said pockets having an interior and a secured opening and sized to accommodate a weight ranging from 1 to 30 lbs.; a plurality of metallic grommets; wherein each of said pockets are placed in a configuration such that said secured opening of each of said pockets is lined up with and directly faces said secured opening of another pocket when said tarpaulin apparatus is laid flat.
 18. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 17, wherein said surface sheet has a quadrilateral configuration and four corners.
 19. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of said four corners comprises a pocket.
 20. The tarpaulin apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of said pockets are secured with a hook and loop fastener. 